Faith, Favor, & Friends...Yes Reading is Relaxing!

Have you ever been put in a place where you had to choose between what you wanted and protecting someone else? It's never ever easy to make a choice against what you feel is best for you versus what is best for someone else. Nevertheless, true love will cause you to accept the exception of what's best over what's wanted or even needed. I plunder sometimes over the fact that even Christ had to make a choice that caused Him to have the worst end of the stick, because He knew that for Him to sacrifice Himself, was for us to gain. Again the need to protect. When you truly love someone there is no limit to the selfless acts, that one does in order to protect them from any harm or danger. You widely consider your options as being null and void, and carefully understand that although the consequences to your actions might leave you longing, you find inner peace in your ability to protect. Now in the end will you be appreciated for all that you've done? Will the ones you protected go through special measures to insure that your protection wasn't in vain? Maybe they will and maybe they want but the good thing is, they had the opportunity because of your need to protect.Be Blessed!

It was October 1990, and I'd been put in the car of a guy who cared and rushed to LSU hospital for an attempted suicide. I was at a point in my life, where I felt, I had nothing to live for. It had seemed like the weight of the world was entangled on my shoulders. I'd just found out I'd only be able to graduate if I got a extra credit in night school, the guy I loved didn't love me, and my home-life wasn't what I thought it should be. Might seem like nothing to you but to a sixteen year old who would be seventeen in two months, I was hysterical. I'd taken twenty antibiotics and lain dazed and for the life of me, I can never forget the sting that hit my lip as the nurses used medication to get me up. I'm writing about this because a teenager whom I love a great deal, tried to commit suicide. Parents, this is a spirit that grabs ahold of a teen through broken channels and you must be attentive and aware of it's grip. I was too self assured for this, they thought. The girl that could get any guy, who wore nice clothes, who was considered pretty and fine, had a doormat demon that would try to snatch me out before I'd really even got to know a God who cared. Two things happened to me at the hospital, I realized that someone really cared for me (RV) and I also found out that I was two to three months pregnant. You talking about a life-change. The doctor ask, "Did you try to kill yourself because you are pregnant?" And I cried, "I'm pregnant." She, the girl who thought she had no one or nothing to live for, finally sees that she had everything to live for, growing inside of her. On that day I experienced "Mother's Day". The moment when a mother knows that her life is not about what she thought it should be, but who she is and will be to a child. And more importantly, when she finds out that no matter what, God will be there to protect them through it all. I thought as I rode home, God how can I be so precious to You that You would allow me to live and then bless me to have a baby? In the days to come, I would experience the worst yeast infection known to human. It was horrible and I had to suffer through it, without the strong meds because of the child that lived inside of me. I'd given the baby all the medicine that she was going to get; because of my ignorance and inability to fight off the spirit of suicide. I know someone's wondering, well what are you trying to tell us, and so here it goes; Mother's as you prepare to celebrate the day that is suppose to celebrate you, don't spend it miserable because you neglected the signs. Pay attention to your children and understand that communication is a must. What might not have affected you, could very well destroy someone else who has a doormat spirit of suicide trying to steal their life. Fill the voids in your children lives by being everything to them. Don't just give them everything, but allow your love to be everything and we all know that when you love someone, you pay close attention to them. I can't imagine what type of Mother's Day my mom or grandmother would have had, if I had killed myself. Most importantly, know that God cares for you and tell your children this often. I often wonder, am I doing all the God left me on earth to do, because it's apparent, He spared my life. Not to mention, my child who is now twenty, a sophmore in college majoring in Biology-Pre-Med/ and aspires to be a doctor, a gifted talented basketball player who has transition from post, to two guard, and now point guard, a child that would give you her last and who loves hard, and most importantly a child who truly loves Jesus Christ and has excepted Him as her savior. Little did she know, He truly did save her and me before we accepted salvation. Happy Mother's Day Ladies, and never forget that at that moment when you felt the effect of Mother's Day, you also willingly vowed to be the vessels that would carry the seed and nurture it until it was able to care for itself and trust that God cares! Trust God in all and everything that you go through and trust Him to help you love, care for, and raise those babies. I love you Raiyawna Shaundell Gatlin and I thank you for giving me a reason to live! It's because of you, I was blessed with two more reasons (Dobrielle & Dwight Jr.). Be Blessed!

I'm reminded of a song that lyrics like this..."It's a new season, it's a new day, a fresh anointing-is coming my way. It's a season of power and prosperity, it's a new season coming for me!" The song was song by Isreal Houghton & New Breed. As I think of the changes that are going on in my life; especially the children getting older and preparing for lives as adults....I know that I'm heading to a new season in my life. Although my cares were and have always been centered around who and what I believe God desires and purposed for me, my family being a great part of the purpose, I now see a transformation going on. As the children are no longer desiring as much attention from me, I find myself desiring more of God. You know it's almost like finally I'm free to focus on what God wants. Yes, I still and will always as a wife consider the needs of my husband, but he unlike the kids, understand the me and God's time. The kids have little understanding of me time; especially when they have needs that requires mother's attention. What I once saw as a lost, them not needing me as much, I now see as a new season breaking forward. I still have those moments when I wonder if they'll include me in their lives as much as I would like to be when they are grown, but even if they don't, I know I've given them the best of my life and the best information I had to offer....the knowledge of Jesus Christ. And now they'll have to wonder is mother is going to Woman Thou Art Loosed this year, and every other conference that I can get to, just to be amongst the saints and to get more of God. You know how when a kid come of age there are some places that they are just dying to get to, I'm coming of age again for the second time and there are some places I'm free to go to without the headache of wondering who will take care of my children and where will they go when I'm gone. It's a new season coming for me and I'm riding the wave on the Word of God. Be Blessed!